ZEBULON, N.C. (June 4, 2017) – Despite a combined six runs from the Dash offense through the first two innings, the Carolina Mudcats used a three-run eighth and a walk-off single from Jake Gatewood in the ninth to defeat Winston-Salem 8-7 on Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium.
The Dash (19-38) led 7-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth when the Muddies (30-26) mounted their comeback. Cooper Hummel smacked a leadoff single against Dash reliever Jake Johansen, and, three batters later, Troy Stokes, Jr., roped an RBI double to left to cut the deficit to two.
Following a run-scoring single from Isan Diaz to make it a 7-6 game, Johansen hit Gatewood to put runners on first and second with two outs. Ryan Riga (0-4) replaced the right-hander and promptly yielded a game-tying RBI double to Lucas Erceg before getting out of the inning.
The Dash temporarily staved off the loss in the ninth on a spectacular play by third baseman Trey Michalczewski. With Weston Wilson on second with one out, Corey Ray lofted a bloop single into shallow left field, but Michaclzewski made an exceptional throw to gun down Wilson at the plate.
However, after Riga loaded the bases with two walks, Gatewood delivered the game-winning hit, lashing a walk-off single to left to extend the Dash’s losing streak at Five County Stadium to eight games.
Despite the loss, Winston-Salem mashed 14 hits in the contest, the team’s third double-digit total in its last six contests. During that same span, the Dash have recorded a combined 66 hits, the most through a six-game stretch this season.
The Dash struck first with two outs in the opening frame against Mudcats starter Cody Ponce. With Danny Mendick on first, Michalczewski just missed a home run by stroking an RBI triple off the top of the wall in left-center to put Winston-Salem ahead 1-0.
Carolina countered with a pair of run-producing hits in the bottom of the inning against Dash starter Brannon Easterling. Diaz drew a two-out walk, and Gatewood tied the contest with an RBI double. Three pitches later, Erceg gave the Mudcats a 2-1 advantage with an RBI single.
The Dash quickly reclaimed the lead thanks to a five-run second inning. With one out, Brady Conlan and Landon Lassiter hit back-to-back singles. After a wild pitch moved both runners up a base, Mendick knotted the game on a sacrifice fly, scoring Conlan and moving Lassiter to third. Collins followed with an RBI single to right to give Winston-Salem a 3-2 edge. The Dash added to the lead with three straight infield singles from Luis Basabe, Michalczewski and Keon Barnum before Louis Silverio capped the frame with a two-run double off the wall in center.
The Mudcats plated two in the third to make it 6-4, but Easterling soon settled into a groove. The right-hander ultimately tossed five innings, giving up six hits and four runs while striking out six batters.
Winston pushed across its final tally on an unearned run in the eighth against Eric Hanhold (2-2). Lassiter doubled with two outs, and Mendick bounced a single to the second baseman Aviles. On the play, Aviles made an errant throw to first, allowing Lassiter to score. Hanhold rebounded with a scoreless ninth to pick up the victory.
Winston-Salem continues its three-game series against the Carolina Mudcats on Monday at 7 p.m. The Dash will send right-hander Dane Dunning (2-0, 4.79 ERA) to the hill for the middle match against righty Trey Supak (0-0, 9.00 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
Following its series in Zebulon, #YourHomeTeam returns to BB&T Ballpark for its final homestand of the first half. Winston-Salem will play a four-game series against the Salem Red Sox from June 8-11, followed by a three-game set against the Down East Wood Ducks from June 12-14.
The promotions during this seven-game stretch include an All-You-Can-Eat for Free Night, Pups in the Park and our Two for $22 deal. The homestand will also feature a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday and Family Sunday, plus another Fireworks Friday. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
